RUSTON - When Tyler Summitt walks out of the tunnel and onto Karl Malone Court Saturday night for Louisiana Tech's first exhibition game of the season, it will mark the seven month anniversary of when he was introduced as the sixth head coach in Lady Techster history.

Tech officials made the announcement of Summitt's impending press conference on April 1 and the son of the legendary Pat Summitt was formally introduced the following day. Summitt won the press conference. And although not as instantaneously, he has won over his players during the course of the past seven months.

On Saturday night when the Lady Techsters tip off against Mississippi College at 7 p.m., Summitt hopes to win his first game as a collegiate head coach, even if it's one that doesn't ultimately count on the record.

"Saturday is a chance for us to get better," Summitt said. "Both of our exhibition games are a chance for our team to play with our new system against somebody different. I think our players will be happy to compete against somebody else. I think they are tired of playing against each other and are excited to have an opponent this isn't their teammate."

LA Tech returns four starters and seven letter-winners from last year's team that posted a 12-20 record and finished 14th in the Conference USA regular season standings. Summitt's arrival in Ruston this spring ignited a new sense of excitement among Lady Techster fans and opened a new chapter in the storied history of the women's basketball program.

The culture change has been gradual but consistent, and Summitt credits the leadership of his five seniors on this year's roster: Kanedria Andrews, Whitney Frazier, Savanna Langston, Kelia Shelton and Chrisstasia Walter.

"I think overall our staff is pleased with how our ladies have been working," Summitt said. "Obviously, you are never where you want to be. There is always something as a coach that you see that should be improved. I want to thank our players for buying in, for the effort they have given and for the consistent feedback I've gotten from them. They feel they are getting better every day and that is our goal."

Although slight in numbers - Tech boasts only 10 active players on this year's roster - the Lady Techster team is one of the most experienced in Conference USA as the league lost 15 of its 16 all-conference honorees to graduation, transfer or change of conference. Frazier, who averaged 16.2 points and 9.8 rebounds on her way to earning second team all-Conference USA honors last year, is the lone returning all-league player.

Frazier and Co. began individual workouts last spring. They opened official team workouts in early October. And Saturday night, they will have an opportunity to suit up and play against someone not wearing a LA Tech uniform.

Summitt is eager to see the results and said he will utilize the exhibition game to get better as a team prior to its Nov. 15 season opener against Stephen F. Austin.

"I think it is one thing to mess up in practice or in a closed," Summitt said. "I think it is another thing when there are fans in the stands and the lights are on and you get embarrassed because you didn't do something the right way on the court. It's a little more meaningful. It's why we play these scrimmages and exhibition games. We have been preaching to them the last month that they need to improve, but when they actually see it on the court, it gives them extra motivation."

Mississippi College is a Division II program that returns two starters and five letter-winners from last year's team that finished 11-14 overall, 9-13 in American Southwest Conference play.

Season tickets are still on sale for the upcoming year and can be purchased by calling the Tech Ticket Office at 318-257-3631 or emailing techtickets@latech.edu.

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